Tuesday, 18 August 2009

My love for Mr. Hare's debut collection is well documented on the blog. His passion for fine shoes is infectious and for all to see over on his blog but it is even more apparent in his debut collection. Ever since I first met up with Mr. Hare to marvel at the beauty of the 'Purest Form' in person I have been imagining my feet in his leather creations. One pair in particular has been a recurrent fixture in my style daydream fantasies. I included the Stingray Orwell in my 'Items worth saving up for' post back in March and my desire to have them grace my feet never relented. Now my friends, the waiting is over! I met up with Mr. Hare last night to have a few beers and to have a sneak peak at the first shots of his SS10 collection (more on this later but I will say...wow!) and he used the occasion to hand deliver a pair. When I clocked the shoe box as I sat down with the first round my heart missed more than a few beats. I wiped my excited/sweaty palms on my trousers took hold of the beautiful branded box and peaked inside...(warning...you are about to view some serious amateur shoe porn...kids, look away now!)

The Orwell Stingray is an apron Derby shoe in patent leather with stingray built on a Blake construction. “When you absolutely, positively got to kill every motherfucker in the room. Accept no substitutes.” This sentence uttered by Ordell Robbie in ‘Jackie Brown’ was the only sentence that came into Mr Hare's head every time he looked at the Orwell and I can certainly see why.

A close up! Stingray skin is so tough it was originally used as a protection against sword slashes and is believed to have been worn by Attila the Hun...oh yes!

Back in February when we interviewed Mr Hare he declared that the "Orwell is an apron derby that has all the attitude of 60s Kray run London and the joiedevivre of Sammy Davis jnr. I just received the Stingray version which is sick." After wearing them for only a few moments my feet felt as though they were dancing around town in a bygone era...

As I made my way back home with them, smiling like a maniac and unnerving my fellow bus riders, my excitement levels were unparalleled. I called everyone in my phonebook who I thought might be vaguely interested in my news and was met with a variety of responses, some I can't type here but lets just say they were a little green. For those of you who I called last night I apologise for my rambled mutterings but I've literally not been that excited since waking up one Christmas morning to find a Scalextric set up in my living room. Some of you might have noticed that I excitedly tweeted “I have a pair of Stingray Orwells in my bag...cannot wait to get home to try them on!” Well, the tweet proved too much for our favourite despot who countered with a bunny boiler post. The combination of Imelda Matt's threats with Susie's thieving mitts mean I will just have to sleep with one eye open from now...that and I just won't take them off! I'll certainly sleep well tonight though knowing that my dream about the hare and the four swans came true...

Matt: I feel like the luckiest boy in the world when I wear them. I've not worn them out, I need to plan a special occasion and outfit to christen them!00o00, Mary Van Note: Thanks! I am such a happy chap!EJ: I am looking for a safe. An impenetrable fortress will be in place when you next visit!Imelda Matt: HAHA! I'm sorry, hopefully there will be no more taunting now. I will just sit here quietly and more than a little smug.Jodi, IB: Ha, this is the first real item I've ever owned that has generated such a reaction. They really are special.An (ex) Alien in New York: Good plan!

people, people, people - you can buy the shoes at oki-ni or at dover street market. Get there, don't get envious it's easier. Unless what everyone is really envious of is the fact Steve got his shoes for free?

TheSundayBest: Please don't kill me Thom. Just sell your body to the night to acquire the funds.Vintage Lover: Thanks, please do! It isn't just me though, my partner EJ (a girl) gives her perspective on the happenings of men's style as well. Anonymous: Well said aside from the free part! These are my most expensive shoe purchase but worth every single penny! Now, if I could get them for free I would have the entire collection at my disposal, imagine that...

Oh no you didn't!! With red socks is the best way to wear them, simply awesome. I just wonder though, with the toughness of shagreen, do the shoes bend enough when you walk? Are they comfortable? (Not that I give much importance to comfort...)

wow steve - i am impressed that you bought them. I also think you need to look at that commes des garcons shirt you like online as it appears to be on offer at a lot of places - think it might be on asos and the corner.

LinkWithin

Style Salvage is blog about how men could (and do) dress. Started back in June 2007, the blog aims to showcase emerging and established design talent alike. It features style commentary, 7 day style diaries, interviews with designers, journalists and shop owners mixed in with the occasional personal style shot.